BY GRACE ZIGAH
A rare display of Asante royal tradition unfolded in the United States when Lady Julia, wife of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and their two children paid homage to the King during the 2026 Akwasidae Kese celebration in Maryland
The emotional family moment took place on Sunday, August 30, 2026, during a grand durbar held at Bowie State University, where thousands of Ghanaians and admirers of Asante culture gathered to celebrate the festival.
The couple’s children, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem Osei Tutu and Nana Kwame Kyeretwie joined Lady Julia as they approached the Asantehene to pay their respects.
The gesture, although deeply rooted in Asante royal tradition, attracted particular attention because it offered the public a glimpse into the Asantehene’s family life within the formal setting of a major royal ceremony outside Ghana.
Opemsuo Radio, the official broadcast station and mouthpiece of Manhyia Palace, captured footage of the occasion, which was later circulated on social media.
The Akwasidae USA 2026 celebration brought the atmosphere and traditions associated with the Asante festival to Maryland.
The outdoor durbar at Bowie State University attracted a large gathering of Ghanaians and Asante culture enthusiasts, many of whom appeared in colourful kente and traditional clothing. Traditional red and multicoloured umbrellas added to the visual spectacle as the ceremony unfolded.
The event also attracted prominent personalities, including Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States Victor Smith, business executives Dr Osei Kwame Despite and Dr Ernest Ofori Sarpong, as well as other distinguished guests.
Libation rituals and other traditional proceedings formed part of the ceremony, while photographers and members of the audience documented the historic gathering.
